GOVERNMENT BY REGULATION.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 360, 18 June 1925, Page 1

GOVERNMENT BY REGULATION.

We hear a great ‘leal about the cost of Parliament, and some members exercise their brains by calculating its cost per hour, and it is something staggering. Still, we pay it more or less cheerfully, and console ourselves by the thought that we are governed by the representatives whom wo elect by our votes. Lately what with commissions of experts, and regulations approved by Cabinet, it seems to us that as these regulations have the force of law it is great waste to elect and pay a Parliament just for a pretence. If we are going to be governed by “Regulations” what need of the great cost of elections and sfssfons to make laws which seemingly are not necessary. .Tust recently the Board of Health have Issued regulations for the compulsory examination and treatment of V.D. Now r this provision has never yet been passed by Parliament; in fact it was withdrawn from the Social Hygiene Bill by the late Prime Minister at the urgent protest of the women of this Dominion. Here, then, is a provision which no Government dares to put through the House, which M.P’s. know their women constituents oppose, and it is enforced by “regulation.” In Parliament women have representation and this provision has not passed our representatives. It is brought in “through the back door.” What guarantee have we that many other equally obnoxious “regula-

tions” may not be similarly indicted upon us. So far vaccination is not compulsory, but if we calmly sit down and allow this iniquitous “government by regulation,” the next thing will be that vaccination will be made compulsory. “Eternal Vigilance is the price of Liberty.” We are on the eve of a.n election; let women wake up and Insist that they be governed by the representatives whom they elect, not by Commissions or Boards who are not responsible to the electors for their actions. Later on w r e propose to deal wdth these regulations, .lust now we only wish to arouse our readers to the danger of allowing the Government of this Country to be in any other hands than those of the People’s Representatives. A fortnight ago we sent a letter to the Minister for Health, but so far have received no reply. The following is the text of the letter: — On behalf of the White Ribbon women of this Dominion, I enter a most emphatic protest against the compulsory measures in the treatment of V.D. being adopted by

“Regulation.” A measure so important, which places the honor of every woman in the hands of a Health Director, should not be enforced unless it be passed by the “Representatives of this people in Parliament assembled.” As the Regulations are not too clear, may* I ask you for further en light men t (1). What constitutes a “reasonable cause to believe?”

(21. In the event of an innoceut woman having to submit to this examination, does the regulation shelter the Dr. from a prosecution for indecent assault?